E! is set to explore the personal life of a celebrity journalist.
The cable network, which is continuing its push into scripted programming, is developing a remake of award-winning Australian comedy series Lowdown, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Lowdown is an hourlong scripted comedy that revolves around Alex, a celebrity journalist, and his dysfunctional relationships with his ex-girlfriend, editor and celebrity subjects. He will do what ever it takes to get a great story out of them -- from exposing illicit text messages to outing gay athletes.
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The comedy hails from Universal Cable productions and original series creators Adam Zwar and Amanda Brotchie's High Wire Films. Zwar and Brotchie will pen the adaptation and executive produce alongside Dave Bartis, Doug Liman and Nicole Minchin, the latter of whom served as a producer on the Aussie original. Gene Klein will co-executive produce. Zwar is not currently attached to an onscreen role should the E! version move forward.
Lowdown ran for two eight-episode seasons in 2010 and 2012 on the Australian Broadcasting Co. Zwar starred as Alex in a cast that also included Geoffrey Rush as its narrator. It earned awards from the Australian Film Institute (best comedy) and was honored twice as best comedy by the Australian Writers' Guild.
This marks Zwar's second Australian comedy series to be developed for U.S. audiences. Zwar and co-creator Jason Gann's Wilfred is heading into its fourth and final season on FX spinoff FXX. Zwar is repped by Aran Michael Management in Australia.
For E!, Lowdown joins a scripted development slate that includes pilots Songbyrd and The Royals.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
Twitter: @Snoodit
